Orion Media signs new two-year deal with the NEC Group Arenas

13 January 2015Becky Humphries

West Midlands-based radio group signs a new two-year agreement with the Genting and Barclaycard Arena.

Orion Media, which runs the Free Radio network across Birmingham and Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and Shropshire, hosts its annual “Free Radio Live” concerts at the Genting Arena. At last month’s 2014 show, it boasted a stellar line-up including Ed Sheeran, Olly Murs, McBusted and Nicole Scherzinger

As part of the agreement, these events will become a joint partnership between Orion Media and the NEC Group, which owns the two venues.

Phil Riley, CEO of Orion Media said: “Our partnership with the Genting and Barclaycard Arenas is now in its fifth year, and shows no sign of slowing down.

“They really are great people to work with, and our exposure inside the arenas means Free Radio remains highly visible to concert goers who come from across our patch to see the great shows they put on.”

The deal also means that Free Radio will be marketed throughout both arenas at various gigs and events held at the venues. In turn, Free Radio will work with the Arenas to promote the world class artists and events to their listeners.

Guy Dunstan, General Manager of the Genting Arena and the Barclaycard Arena, said: “I’m delighted that we have extended the agreement between both our Arenas and Free Radio for a further two years. We’ve really valued working with Free Radio over the past four years and the exciting opportunities the partnership created.

“We are looking forward to continuing the journey with Free Radio, and believe that this will offer Free Radio listeners a unique opportunity to be part of our exciting future.”

Every week, the Free Radio network, which also includes Free Radio 80s, broadcasts to millions of listeners across the West Midlands on AM, DAB and online.